Road Trips that Every American Should Take

Heading out on the open road is as American as apple pie and these three road trips are a great way to see parts of the country from a unique perspective. Sure, the Grand Canyon is a typical family vacation destination, but when you road trip from the Canyon to Moab the adventure reaches a whole new level. And who can resist a seafood tasting tour that starts in the Big Easy and wraps up in Apalachicola, Florida? Glacier National Park should be on everyone’s must-see list, and when you drive up from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, getting there is half the fun.

A trip to the Grand Canyon is a rite of passage for many American families on their summer vacation, and when you continue on to Moab, Utah you are in for the adventure of a lifetime. This trip is a long one, at 862 miles, plan for at least ten days in order to really get a taste of the Utah desert. If you are not into the throngs of people at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, drive over to the North Rim, which offers an 8,000-foot vantage point to see this natural wonder. Stop here for a few days of camping and a hike down into the canyon, with a not-to-be-missed stop at Ribbon Falls. As you make your way to Moab, stop a while at both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks for some amazing hiking and mountain biking trails. Canyonlands is another must see, and if you have more than 10 days for this trip, there is more than enough to see and do as you make your way to the moonscape that is Moab, Utah.

Everyone loves New Orleans, for the food, the music, and the drinks. But why stop there? Spend a few days soaking in the Big Easy before you head out on a 425-mile road trip that is more of a food fest than anything else. As you head down the Southern coast, be sure to make a stop on Alabama’s Dauphin Island and enjoy a stop at the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary. There is big fishing to be had in Apalachicola with waters known for their tarpon, triggerfish, and flounder. This trip is all about the seafood, so be sure to stop by at least one of the roadside shrimp shacks as you make your way south.

The 500-mile trek from Jackson Hole to Glacier National Park will take you through five National Parks through the home territory of some of the West’s most iconic wildlife. You will begin your journey in the shadow of the Tetons, right in the heart of moose country. Drive through Yellowstone heading due north toward Montana. Be sure to make a pit stop in Mammoth Hot Springs, just on the edge of the park, for a soak in the 100-degree hot springs. Whitefish is the last stop for supplies before heading into Glacier National Park where you will see some of the most breathtaking scenery this country has to offer.